FIFA President Gianni Infantino has heaped praise on Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis, highlighting their determined performances and the vibrant support of their fans during the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Reflecting on the team’s journey after their exit from the competition, Infantino hailed Espérance’s campaign as a moment of pride for both Tunisian and African football.
“In my opinion, they had a very nice performance, sportingly,” he remarked. “To qualify for the competition itself is already an achievement. And to beat Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, to reach the next stage—that was something very big.”
Espérance’s participation in this first edition of the revamped Club World Cup signified a milestone, not only for the club but for African football’s growing presence on the world stage.
“The objective of the FIFA Club World Cup is to give a platform to teams like Espérance—big on the African continent but who haven’t yet had the global spotlight,” Infantino explained.
“We want to help them shine, help their players shine, and truly compete with Europe’s elite.”
Although the Tunisian champions narrowly missed out on advancing further, Infantino insisted their showing should not be viewed as a disappointment.
“They played well and were in the race until their last game,” he noted. “They failed sportingly only in the result, not in spirit.”
Beyond the pitch, Espérance’s supporters made a profound impression, bringing their passion and culture to cities across the U.S.
“The fans were exceptional. They took over Philadelphia, they were in New York, and they celebrated with joy and colour,” Infantino said with admiration.
“For many Americans, this was a discovery—not just of a football club, but of a culture and a passion.”
As the tournament moved forward, Infantino was clear that Espérance had already left a lasting mark.
“It was a success for Espérance, for Tunisia, and African football,” he declared. “They’ve written an important part of football’s story.”
